Friday, May 30, 2008

I once read on someone's blog thatif you can't seem to post every daytry to think of posting one picture, and keep it brief.Well here I am, stuck with drafts,viewing 1000 digital images, trying to choose the bestand my mind stuck in information overload.

So here you go, rather than tour with me today,I thought that I would ask you what this picture represents?

I saw this in Europe and was fascinated.Again I stopped and stared...Have you ever seen this before?

Let me know your thoughts...Sorry, I don't have any big awards to the winner..

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Let me introduce you to one amazing family, my niece, Ursula and her husband, Goekhan and little Deniz who is almost three. Time has allowed us to enjoy the Bavarian culture and scenery.It has been the time of our life. You will find their mother, Anke featured in the Queen of Germany.

Deniz, the Love of all of our lives.He captures our hearts.

Here lies there beautiful home in the German alps.They have shared their home and hospitality with usand continuously roll out the red carpet.

Let's take a quick stroll around their farm yard.

So, as I passed the farm, I noticed the beautiful kitchen windows, with their freshly planted geraniums. I loved the little white curtains that framed the window. I remember removing them from my house. Somehow it did not suit our house design.

As I turned the corner, I noticed a very interesting display. Often I would see children playing here, but as the story is told, it's the burial place of the family pet.I could see them sweeping the stones, cleaning the weeds, and planting the flowers. In retrospect, these burials are prohibited on agriculture land, but somewhere this family chose to respect their loved pets and who knows how long before someone reports this incident. Hopefully they live in a loving community and allow those children to play in their make belief worlds.

Then around another curve and some more incline. This was a very good work out and the higher I climbed, I was always excited to see what would be around the next bend.

I enjoyed the fresh smell of the country, freshly cut grass and the pathways that curved over the country side. I loved the rolling hills with their fresh buttercups and dandelions

As I strolled leisurely I yet heard another sound that I did not expect. I heard cow bells chiming...and as I got closer and closer to see if those were really cow bells ringing, I heard thunderous hooves behind me and my pace increased quite quickly. All I saw was an electric wire that protected me, so I left those animals in there peaceful country setting. I knew better than to disturb their peace.

Just one more corner and there in the distance was my final destination.I walked down the the long lane past yet another farmhouse. Farm homes and barns are still all united under one roof.I'm not sure what it smelled like in the house, but the spreading of fresh manure, gave me the sense that I was living in the country.

The cherry blossoms were bursting in full bloom. Gardens were being planted right next to the front door step. Tractors and mowers are all over the yard ready for their first crop.And their of course you see this little man toddling down the road. That's my Deniz, only steps ahead of me waiting for someone to come and play with him. And just past this next farm came a reality.

Here's my vacation home. What a dream, to live in Bavaria and mingle with the village folk.Many days I was caught either sitting up on the patio drinking Ice Cafe' or gazing out onto the German Alps or taking a stroll through the countryside. This was home for us. They gave us their beautiful black Audi to drive during out stay. We were overwhelmed with the hospitality from this wonderful family.

Geraniums lined the balconies and all along the sidewalks of this home. It was just the most relaxing and peaceful kind of place to call home. A coffee pot in my bedroom? What a great idea.

The best and most beautiful things in the worldcannot be seen or even touched.They must be felt with the heart.

Monday, May 26, 2008

Over the past three years we have had the amazing privilege of travelling through Europe.We are are blessed to have close family that has allowed us to enjoy many fantastic adventures together. I am here sharing some of our experiences. So please join me as I take you on a leisurely stroll sharing with you the true life experiences of Europe.

Ursula & Goekhan

Let me introduce you to one amazing family, my niece, Ursula and her husband, Goekhan and little Deniz who is almost three. Time has allowed us to enjoy the Bavarian culture and scenery.You will find their mother, Anke featured in the Queen of Germany.It has been the time of our life.

Deniz, the Love of all of our lives.He captures our hearts.

Here lies there beautiful home in the German alps. They have shared their home and hospitality with us and continuously roll out the red carpet. We have more future plans for Europe in the coming years.Wouldn't that make you have an interest in Europe?

Sunday, May 25, 2008

St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna soars above the city rooftops.This Cathedral is a masterpiece of Gothicism..The south tower stands at 137 m high.We walked in with a feeling of awe and respect.Many people were standing there just like us, gazed with their eyes fixedon the architect and the interior design.

Many tiny tea light candles were lit to commemoratethose loved ones that have passed on.We also lit a candle in honoring both of our Mother'sespecially in honor of Mother's Day.

Then I saw a powerful symbolic picture.Here was a man kneeling in devoted prayer.I watched him for a long time and wondered...

How I remembered the times as a little girl,that my grandmother would kneel by my bedside and pray with me.Somehow kneeling is not practiced often today.

These beautiful masterpieces soar above the cities and towns.But so many churches were empty, cold and often closed.

On the outside of this cathedral was a banner that read."Jesus Christ Today, Yesterday and Forever."(in German)

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Not to take from Judy's John Deere Story,but to add just a bit more trivia about the reliability of John Deere's.I know that some of you are waiting for some more talesfrom the land of queens and kings,but unfortunately that lasted too short.This King and Queen are hard at work againand it seems like a dream gone by....But after reading Judy's story yesterday,I couldn't help but laugh out loud.I too, have inherited the job of cutting lawns on our farm yard.(I think I'll go back to work)

Take a look at our shop.A similar experience on the exact same day.

Here's our JD model on jacks in the shop.The seat is cracked up and down and it slides back and forth.If you tighten it, then John can't move it fast enoughfor the odd time that he needs to cart his grandson around the yard...I think some things need to change around here.The lawn is half cut, at least we got the front lawn cut.This machine is so old and has given me so much trouble.I bet if I gave John the job of cutting lawns,there would be a brand new lawn mower on the yard.

Take a close up look at those bags.They are torn and when I try to pickup the grass, it's flying through all the holes and itactually spreads much more evenly plus I look like a dust mop.I've duct taped them and tried everything.I don't know why I even bother with the bags anymore,but my husband suggested that I could hand stitch this bag.(Yea Right!)You know what I'll be carting to the beach on my next vacation.

Here he is smiling as he is cleaning this old contraption,letting me know that the parts are not available for the next week.(That will be my window of opportunity to share highlights of my trip.)We don't even have a push lawn mower anymore,so maybe I'll resort to my hand snippers.

Judy, as you do your research please check out if there isa "Two for the Price of One" bargain available, or better yetcall me when you go shopping and we'll show those menthe kind of equipment needed for their farm wives,so that we can continue to farm efficiently and use our time wisely.Is their an equipment shop catering to farm wives????

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Our jet landed, and we hit the ground running.Of course, we wanted to make contact with the kidsand it' didn't take long and the cells were buzzingand we quickly organized a supper BBQ.I knew immediately that the unpacking and all that stuff could wait.My wonderful hubby pulled out the patio furnitureand got the BBQ cleaned up while I checked out the fridgeand ran to town to pick up some fresh groceries.

First on our doorsteps to arrive was our family of four.Those wonderful little grandkids arrived and we all receivedour long awaited hugs and kisses.It didn't take long and all of us were enjoyingeach other's company once again.It's not very often that we get such an impromptu response.

Coming home for all of this is so worth it!

Someone is sharing some great exciting news.

Then out of the blue, in walked my daughter, Mikkiwith a beautiful sun dress draped over her swimsuit,and I said,

"Wow!, You look like a Princess!"Who would of known that those words, would of changed her life.(Most of the women in our house are sporting very casual clothes.)

That comment took the cake!Our little Levi had never seen a Princess beforeand he just couldn't imagine that his auntie was a Princess.You all probably remember your first fairy talesand all the excitement and wonder and mysteryof all the truths and myths that we lovedto dream and create in our little make belief head spaces.

Well that's just what happened to Levi,he was experiencing the real world of a Princess.This Princess even jumped on the trampoline with him.

Later, I asked Mikki,if she would like to take Levi and pick up their favorite ice-cream.

Oh my goodness, the story goes on...They entered the grocery story and this little Munchkintakes off away from her and ran up the grocery aisleto the first person, and said,"Excuse me, Excuse me. Do you know that my Auntie Mikki is a Princess?"And of course the man responded, "What?""Do you know that my Auntie Mikki is a Princess?"Well as you can best imagine there was one very embarrassed Princess.

The story remains sketched in our minds and we all smile at our Princess.

Meanwhile I'm enjoying the rain, unpacking, and sorting picturesand feeling the pleasant atmosphere of being Home Again.

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About Me

I am a mother, wife, and Oma. I love country and anything outdoors. We live in the most beautiful part of the Fraser Valley.
My husband is a farmer and now and
then you'll find me out there with him, but most times I'm in the kitchen creating some kind of event, or I'm caught in the action of planning another adventure.
We have three married children, and three lovely grandsons and two princesses.

Life's Motto

I shall pass through this world, but once.Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now.Let me not defer it or neglect it,for I shall not pass this way again.